- The Karnataka government had constituted an expert committee to suggest the action plan to tackle the predicted third covid wave expected to target the vulnerable category of children. The committee under the Chairmanship of renowned cardiologist Dr. Devi Shetty of Narayana Health was specifically asked to recommend measures to ensure the anticipated target of children below 18 years is protected from the vagaries of the virus menace. Of course, as per the reports being headlined in newspapers, there is division in opinion on the possible occurrence of the third covid wave. Many virologists are sharply divided whilst expressing their viewpoints with some categorically ruling out yet another wave while some vehemently expecting the same.
PC: Satata Karmakar
- The devastation left behind by the second covid wave is still fresh in our minds. However, the cases are on the decline what with confirmed infection rates gradually receding in the last few days. With the imperativeness of allowing economic activities to take precedence over stringent lockdowns on the back of a lesser number of cases reported, various state governments have introduced unlocking allowing for the resumption of stalled activities. As we all are aware, it is extremely difficult to ensure the implementation of prescribed safety and health protocols in a densely populated country like ours. Dissuading people from embracing complacency amid yet to be conquered virus is a daunting task that cannot be achieved whilst opening the economy.
- Therefore, there exist real dangers of the second wave itself getting aggravated while people tend to conveniently ignore from observing the standard protocols. Against this backdrop, the expert committee has suggested to the Karnataka government to gradually open colleges and schools wherever the positive rate of the infection is less than 5% as observed over no less than two weeks. The committee also has suggested extending two lakh rupees of insurance coverage to each of the school and college-going students who may not find acceptance looking into the financial conditions of the state exchequer. Now, the moot point to ponder over here is whether the government is prepared to bite the bullet and allow the education institutes to open?
PC: Murali
- Highly unlikely given the all-pervading damages the virus spread can cause to the precious lives of young adults and children. Even if the government allows, whether the parents’ community would be willing to provide consent for physical classes is a million-dollar question that is not easy to answer. Parents will rather wait for some more time for the vaccination process to kick in before even considering allowing their respective children to visit schools and colleges for offline learnings. Hopefully, some of the vaccines under trials for administering to children should be coming through in the next few weeks. Once approved, the inoculation drive for the younger lot should commence immediately to facilitate the reopening of educational institutes. Till then, the online mode will prevail.
